I believe That business should Support OUR life & values

…and for me, that means working in the way that feels easiest and most joyful to me (without sacrificing income)

Hi! I’m Ruth and I’ve been making my living online as a writer and content creator since 2008 (more on that below). And it’s been quite a (bumpy) journey!

I was 21 and very unsure of myself when I started – I spent the early years trying to do everything the “right” way. I bought into the hustle mentality, I tried marketing tactics that didn’t feel good, I beat myself up about not getting enough done, and I burnt myself out.

The truth is I was ignoring what really mattered to me. I was trying to fit in with somebody else’s definition of a successful online business owner. I was unfulfilled, unmotivated and unsure of what I really wanted to do.

Starting in 2016 I made some big changes to how I work, how often I work, and what I believe about the “rules” of online business. It was part mindset shift, and part shift in the way I ran my business.

With the right mindset, & the right systems, I believe business can be easy, joyful and profitable

Thankfully, I’ve figured out what really works – for me. It’s less about fads, one-size-fits all strategies and “shoulds” and more about aligning your business with your values, and implementing smart ways of working so that you don’t have to hustle and work all the time.

I now realise that I work best when I shape my work exactly around myself and my life, and when I choose to do it in the way that feels easiest and most joyful to me (even if it’s not quite the way anyone else is doing it).

My Online business journey

My online business journey started in 2008. Back then things were quite tough: after graduating from university with a degree in Philosophy & History I quickly realised I had no idea what I wanted to do.

I ended up pulling out of my Master’s at the very last minute (it just didn’t feel right). Thanks to the recession, I had no job to fall back on and nobody would employ me. Luckily I still had the security of being able to live with my parents. So I went online, I found some freelance writing jobs in a business forum, and I was amazed when I received money in my PayPal account the very same day.

I steadily and successfully grew my business, eventually managing my own team of writers providing content to website owners all around the world. I’ve even been able to support my husband as he started his own creative business journey as an ecopoet.

It wasn’t long after starting my online career that I realised I couldn’t go back to “normal” working life. At this point, I feel I’m basically “unemployable” – there’s no way I could give up the freedom of thinking and working for myself. I’ve used that freedom to earn money when nobody would give me a traditional job, to spend a whole year travelling around Asia in 2012 and to give myself permission not to work to a traditional schedule (especially since having a baby!).

The last few years for me have been all about simplifying my business and enjoying my life more. I’m so passionate about this work, and what really lights me up is sharing my experience with people looking to achieve the same – like you!

About ruth

I’m Ruth and I currently live in Kent, in the South East of England, with my husband Chris and baby Rowan. I’m a massive introvert, so it’s not easy for me to talk about myself!

When I’m not working, I love pottering about in the garden, going for a run along the seafront with my favourite podcasts in my ears, listening to the Beatles, or curling up in front of Netflix with a nice glass of red wine and some vegan junk food. (I also love to travel, but that’s been put on the back burner a bit since Rowan arrived!)